Transcript

Question

Transcript

Accepted Answer

Hi there. You're listening to the Leading Lady podcast. I'm your host, AliceAnne Loftus, and I'm a certified professional coach specializing in leadership and work-life balance. I work with clients to shift their limiting beliefs, insecurities, and self-doubt. This podcast will be filled with tools and strategies to help high-achieving women like you feel connected, empowered, and in the lead of your life, both personally and professionally. Let's transform your life starting now. Lead yourself. The rest will follow.

AliceAnne Loftus: Hi there, leading ladies, and welcome to today’s episode. I’m going to be talking with you today about the abundance mindset and how we can move forward in our business recognizing that there truly is business to go around. There’s plenty for all of us, and when we are able to stop comparing ourselves to others and operate from a scarcity mindset that there’s not enough business to go around, we really can empower our community, link arms, join each other to support and encourage one another, and make our communities stronger.

Opening a Business in a Competitive Area

Years ago, when I opened my second preschool, I had chosen a location that coincidentally had two other private child care centers on the same street. And I actually received a little bit of pushback like, “AliceAnne, why on earth would you open a preschool in such close proximity with two other preschools?” And I said, “You know, they can be them and I can be me, and we will all survive and thrive. What I have to offer is so different from what they have to offer and vice versa that I truly believe that we will find our clients that are meant for us.”

So I opened my preschool. It did very well. It’s still going. It’s still thriving, still doing very well even post-pandemic. One of the other centers closed, not because they lost business—I think they retired out—but the other is still there and still thriving. We’re both full. We serve our community. And I would venture to say neither one of us has felt an impact or a loss of business because of each other.

There Is Enough to Go Around

That’s always been a great reminder to me that there is plenty to go around. There’s a reason why it’s okay to see a Starbucks within a mile of a Dunkin’ Donuts or a 7-Eleven across the street from a Wawa or whatever your local chain might be.

Just because someone is offering a product that is similar to yours—or maybe it’s identical—it just has their brand and their messaging attached to it, you will attract your ideal client. Not everyone is going to think you’re the best. People are going to prefer something different simply because it’s not you.

I think a lot of times we get into these scenarios where we see other businesses offering similar or even exact services and products, and we immediately begin to fear.

Understanding Scarcity Mindset

Scarcity mindset really is rooted in fear. We fear that we’re going to suffer or lose business because another company or business is going to take it away from us.

I’ve seen this time and time again where we have this mindset that there’s just not enough to go around. And I promise you, there is.

In my one school, I can only serve a certain number of children. That’s when I’m at max capacity. I cannot take any more children past a certain number. I have limited classrooms, limited teachers, limited square footage. There is a finite number of clients that I can take.

And when you think of it that way, there are far more children living in the area than I can serve. They need other options. I do not have a monopoly over the area, nor could I even begin to serve all of the children there.

This is true for all businesses. Whether you’re a photographer, web developer, coach, or teach music lessons, you have finite hours. You can only serve a finite number of people.

Even with digital products or memberships, not everyone is going to sign up. There will always be consumers out there buying other products and services that are not yours—and that’s okay.

Why I Limit Industries in My Networking Group

People often ask me, if I believe in abundance, then why am I industry-exclusive in my local networking group?

The answer is simple. It’s not about canceling out competition. Not even close. It’s to promote and encourage diverse businesses participating.

We’ve all been to networking events where there are 50 realtors or 50 photographers. Some industries are very saturated. When I started my group, I wanted to ensure diversity, so I limited it to one person per industry.

Again, not to cancel competition—but to encourage variety.

Community Over Competition

I believe in community over competition. I believe in collaboration and surrounding yourself with businesses from different industries.

Who are your power partners? Who shares your ideal client? How can you share referrals, resources, and support each other’s growth?

The larger and more diverse your community is, the more you can serve people—even if you’re not the right fit.

When people schedule calls with me, I encourage them to shop around. I tell them to talk to at least three other coaches. Do your due diligence. Make sure I’m the right fit.

Does it feel good to lose a potential client? No. But I want people to know I’ll be honest about whether I’m the right person for them.

When Scarcity Mindset Creeps In

Recently, I found out that a previous client was offering a service very similar to mine. During our coaching time, I didn’t realize she would go in that direction.

One night, I was scrolling social media and saw a graphic for her product. It was nearly identical to something I offer.

Even as someone who teaches abundance mindset, I spiraled.

I thought, “This is going to impact my business. How could this happen? I basically gave her the roadmap.”

I started questioning my value and whether people would choose her over me—possibly for less money. I felt myself slipping into scarcity mindset.

And I’ve been in business a long time. I know better.

Regrounding in Truth

So I had to go back to my truths.

I’ve been doing this a long time. I’m established. I have strong relationships with my clients. I have repeat clients. I’ve built a trusted brand.

And I’ve met many people I wasn’t the right fit for.

So how exciting is it that there’s another option for them?

At the end of the day, I want every woman to find where she belongs. Maybe it’s not in my community—and that’s okay.

Shifting Perspective

I had my moment. I sat in the insecurity. And then I reminded myself of my core values.

Community. Leadership. Perspective.

I love sharing my skills and inspiring others to create something meaningful.

I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay.

There’s a quote: imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And I truly believe that.

I’m thrilled that someone saw value in what I created and built something of her own.

Now? I’ll be in the front row clapping for her. Supporting her. Sharing her work. Because there is space for both of us.

Final Thoughts on Abundance

We all have moments of insecurity. That doesn’t make you a bad person. It’s a normal reaction.

But those moments don’t define your business.

As long as you show up, stay authentic, and operate with integrity and excellence, the right people will find you.

They always will.

Remember, if there wasn’t enough to go around, you wouldn’t see competing businesses side by side everywhere.

Be confident in what you offer.

There is enough to go around.

So have you experienced this? Or am I the only one who flip-flops like this?

And to my former client—if you’re listening—I am so proud of you. Proud of your growth, your courage, and what you’ve built.

I truly wish you success. I’m cheering you on.

And for all of you—remember: you are you, they are them, and you will always attract who is meant for you.

So until next time, take the lead.

Thanks for tuning in for another episode of the Leading Lady podcast. You can find all of the links and information mentioned in this episode at leadingladycoaching.com. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any future episodes. And while you’re there, it would mean the world to me if you would take a few seconds and leave me an honest review. This will allow me to help other high-achieving women find inspiration, connection, and develop strategies to live and lead with purpose and intention. See you here next week.

Podcast

304: Abundance Mindset: There’s Enough for Us All: Fan Favorite Replay

303: Why Women Entrepreneurs Get Discouraged and How to Keep Going: Fan Favorite Replay

302: Navigating Uncertainty with Grace & Kindness: Fan Favorite Replay

301: The Loneliness in Leadership

300: Relief is Data; Why Letting Go Sometimes Feels Lighter than Holding On

299: From Intern to Impact: A Fresh Strategy for Team Building: Fan Favorite Replay

298: How To Elevate Your Success by Learning from Your Network: Fan Favorite Replay

297: Friction Isn’t Failure

296: I’ve Got 99 Problems and I Created 100 of Them

295: The Five Dimensions of ROI

294: Choosing Habits to Keep, Stop and Start: Fan Favorite Replay

293: Are You Winning or Learning? Switching to a Growth Mindset: Fan Favorite Replay

Programs

Resources

Audit your life and business to pinpoint what needs your focus.